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Luongo, Quick can handle a bump or two

by
Dave Lozo
/ NHL.com

VANCOUVER -- Contact isn't just a movie with a horrible ending starring Jodie Foster. It's also a way of life for a goaltender in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Crashing the crease becomes commonplace this time of year, when goalies are the victims of hard-driving forwards who are willing to do whatever it takes to score. Vancouver's Roberto Luongo and Los Angeles' Jonathan Quick know to expect it when Game 2 of their Western Conference Quarterfinal series takes place Saturday night at GM Place.

"It's the playoffs. There's a lot of traffic, there's going to be some bumps. But that's part of the game," Luongo said after the Canucks' optional practice Saturday morning. "We have to fight through these things. Hopefully if it's something too dramatic you'll get a call. But if not, you can't be worried about that. You just got to be worried about seeing it no matter what's going on in front of you."

Luongo has liked what he's seen so far from officials in other series.

"It's been pretty good in the playoffs so far. I watched a few games and there's been very few interference calls," he said. "You can't rely on that stuff. You got to play as if it's not going to get called. If you do, great, if not, you just have to fight through it."

The Kings drove the net hard in Game 1 and Luongo wound up on his backside several times. Neither goalie has been steamrolled, but even a playoff rookie like Quick knows there's nothing you can do about all the extra traffic and bumping that takes place.

"They do a good job of getting guys in front, obviously. There's a little extra stuff after the whistle," Quick said. "You have to expect that. It's going to happen more often, more frequently during the game. It comes with being in the playoffs.

"It doesn't really get to you. You can't let anything like that take your focus away."

Luongo agrees, and he doesn't see anything changing in the near future.

"It's always the same. I think that's the way the game is played now," Luongo said. "You get goals in the hard areas, and those areas are right in front of the net."